Portable folding table



c. w. BoBBlsH` 2,893,474

PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE July 7,1959 n 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 195e July 7, 19,59 l c. w. BoBBlsH PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE Filed April 13, 1956 i 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

July 7, 1959 c. w. BoBBlsH PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE Filed April 1s, 195s 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent Office 2,893,474 Patented July 7, 1959 PORTABLE FLDIN G TABLE Charles W. Bobbish, Hazel Park, Mich., assignor to `'Schieber Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 13, 1956, Serial No. 578,039

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-124) This invention relates to table and bench constructions and, more particularly, to an improved porta-ble folding table and bench assembly.

An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages in yprior folding table and bench constructions and to provide an improved portable folding table and bench assembly which may be readily folded for storage purposes and Which may be easily and quickly moved to a desired location and unfolded for use.

Another vobject of the invention is to improve the appearance of folding 'table and bench units when the units are in the folded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved folding Ysupport incorporating improved and simpliied means for releasably locking the support in the unfolded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an iinproved portable folding table and bench unit that is economical to manufacture and assemble, durable, ellicient and reliable in operation.

Another object of the ,invention is to provide an improved portable folding rtable and bench assembly incorporating improved means for supporting the top sections of the assembly.

The above aswell as other objects and advantages of the present invention will :become apparent from the following description, the appended claim and the accom- Y,

panying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a portable folding table and bench assembly embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view ofthe structure illus- Ytrated in Figure gl;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational View of a portion k'of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

Fig. `5 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Figure l, showing the table and bench units in the folded position;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, taken on the line 7-7 thereof;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, taken `on the line 8-'8 thereof;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 7, taken on the line 9-9 thereof;

Fig. l0 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, taken on the line 10-10 thereof;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure ,illustrated 4in Fig. 10, taken on the line 11-11 thereof;

Fig. 1'2 is asectional view of a portion of the struct-ure illustrated in Fig. 11, taken on the line 12-12 thereof; and

Fig. 1'3 is `an elevational view similar to Fig. 5, but showing one set of benches and one table removed from the carrier.

Referring `to the drawings, a portable folding table and bench assembly, generally designated 20, is illustrated which embodies the present invention. The table and bench assembly 20 is particularly adapted for use in school buildings, industrial plants and like installations, and facilitates the use of one room for a plurality of purposes, such as, for example, a combined activities and dining room. The table and bench assembly 20 includes a carrier 22, a pair of folding table units 23 and 25, and two pairs of folding bench units 27, 29, 31 and 33. The table and bench units may be folded from a horizontal unfolded or operative position to a substantially vertical, folded or inoperative position when not in use thereby permitting unobstructed use of the lloor of the room, and the carrier 22 facilitates moving the assembly to any desired location when the assembly is not in use.

The `carrier 22 is comprised of a rigid supporting structure, generally designated 24, which includes a pair of laterally spaced end frames 26 and 28, and a pair of laterally spaced `center support frames 30 and 32 which are disposed intermediate the end frames 26 and 28. The end frames 26 and 28 and the center support frames 30 and 32 are joined by vertically spaced, horizontally eX- tending -cross pieces 34 and 36, which are Welded or otherwise lixed to the end frames and center support frames, to form a unitary structure. The upper edges of the center support frames 30 and 32 are disposed in upwardly spaced relationship with respect to the upper edges of the end frames 26 and 28 by an amount substantially equal to the desired distance between the table height and the bench height. As shown in Fig. 3, the transverse dimensions of the upper `end portions 38 of the center support frames are preferably less than the transverse dimensions of the lower end portions 40 of the center support frames, and the transverse dimensions of the lower end portions 40 of the center support frames are preferably substantially the same as the transverse dimensions of the end frames 26 and 28. The end frames, the center support 'frames and the cross pieces 34 and 36 may be made of steel channel sections or other materials and other shapes, such as structural shapes, having the desired strength and rigidity.

Stop members, such as 42 and 44, `are fixed to the end frames and the center support frames, the stop members being positioned so as to engage the table `and bench units when the table and bench units are in a vertical position, and the stop members prevent such units from moving past a vertical plane during the folding operation.

The .end frame 28 is supported by a pair of non- `pivoting wheel units 46 and 48 secured to the opposite ends of a bracket 49, the central ,portion of the bracket 49 being fixed to the end frame 28 by any suitable or conventional means. The end frame 26 is supported by a pair of caster wheel units 50 and 52 secured to the opposite rend portions of a bracket 53, the central portion of the bracket 53 being Xed to the end frame 26 by any desired or conventional means. With such a construction, the carrier may be easily and quickly moved to any desired location when the table and bench units are in the folded or inoperative position, thus, for -example, facilitating the storage of the assembly in a separate storage room. Since the wheel units 50 vand 52 are free to pivot, the carrier may be easily swung in yany ter support frames 30 and 32 of the carrier by pivot pins 64 and 66, such pivotal connections being substantially at table top height. The inner sections 60 of the bench units are -pivotally connected tothe center support frames and theend frames' of the carrier by pivot pins 68 and 70, these 'last-mentioned pivotal connections being located substantially at bench-top height. VThe longitudinal axes of the pivot pins 64,V 66, 68 and 78 connecting the section 56 of the table unit 25 and the sections 60 of the benchrunits 31 and 33 to one side of the carrier are substantially parallel and located in approximately the same vertical plane so that the table and bench units on such side of the` carrier, when in the unfolded or operative position extend alongside each other for cooperative use. The longitudinal axes of the pivot pins connecting the other set of table and bench units to the other side of the carrier are alsosubstantially parallel and located in avertical plane spaced from the vertical plane of the pivotal connections of the units 25, 31 and 33 to the carrier. The inner and outer sections of the table and bench units may be folded with the inner and outer sections of each table and bench unit lying in vertical planes in backto-back relationship with the pivotal connections between the inner and outer sections of each unit uppermost. The inner section 60 of each bench unit is longer than the inner section 56 of each table unit by an amount equal to the dilference in the vertical elevation between the pivot pins 68 and 70 and the pivot pins 64 and 66, i.e., each section 60 is longer than each section 56 by an amount equal to the difference in the vertical elevations between the pivotal connections of the bench units to the carrier and the pivotal connections of the table units to the carrier. The outer section 58 of each table unit is longer than the outer section 62 of each bench unit so that the table and bench units are of approximately the Same length when the table and bench units are in the unfolded or operative position. With such a construction, when the table and bench units are in the folded position, the uppermost edges of the table and bench units lie in substantially the same horizontal plane. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, the table and bench units present a pleasing appearance when in the folded position since the uppermost edges of the table and bench units are disposed in aligned relationship.

The inner and outer sections S6 and 58 of the table units include top members 72 and 74 which may be formed of plywood, sheet metal or other suitable material, and the top members may be covered with a layer of formica, linoleum, plastic or other suitable Wear-resistant material. If desired, an edge molding 76 may be provided which is formed of aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable material, the molding 76 extending around the edges of the top members to protect such edges and to provide a pleasing appearance.

For the purpose of strengtheningv and increasing the rigidity of the top members 72 and 74, a pair of generally channel-shaped stijening members 78 Vand 80 are xed to the lower surfaces of each of the top members by any desired or conventional means, the stitfening members extending for the major portion of the length of each top member and terminating at a position near, but spaced from, the end thereof. Such a construction pro- `vides a strong, lightweight, relatively inexpensive table top that is pleasing in appearance, durable and easily cleaned. Y

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the adjacent end portions of the top members 72 and 74 are pivotally connected together by hinge members 82 and r84 which also function to pivotally connect a pair of center supporting legs 86 and 88 to the top members, the ylegs 86 and 8-8 being integrally joined by a transversely extending rod 90 disposed intermediate the ends of the legs. The hinges 82 and 84 are located so that the edges of the .top members are disposed in substantially abutting relationship when the table units are in the unfolded posi- 4 tion, and the top surfaces of the top members lie in the same horizontal plane when the table is in the unfolded or operative position. i'

As previously mentioned, the end portion of the top member 72 remote from the top member 74 is pivotally connected to the center support frames 30 and '32 of the carrier by the pivot pins 64 and 66 so that such end portion of the top member 72 is supported by the carrier. The outer end portion of the top member 74 is supported by a leg supporting structure which includes a pair of vertically extending legs 92 and 94 joined intermediate the ends thereof by a horizontal, transversely extending rod 96, the upper ends of the legs 92 and 94 being pivotally connected to the top member 74 by hinges 98 and 100. The legs 92 and 94 are provided with Wheel units 102 and 104 which are of the non-pivoting or non-castering type while the legs 86 and 88 are provided with floorengaging tips 106 which are preferably formed of rubber or other non-sliding material. With such a construction, the table units move in a. straight line during the folding and unfolding operations since the wheel units 102 and 104 at the ends of the table do not function as caster wheels but are fixed against rotation about the longitudinal axes of the legs 92 and 94, While the center legs 86 and 88 are lifted from the oor during the folding and unfolding operation in a manner which will be described hereinafter in greater detail. Another advantage resulting from the use of the non-castering wheels on the legs 92 and 94 and non-sliding tips on the legs 86 and 88 resides in the fact that, in use, the table cannot be moved in a direction transverse of its length. This is particularly important for school installations where young children may use the table.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for maintaining all of the legs in a substantially vertical position at all times and for releasably locking the top members in a common plane when the top members are in the unfolded or operative position. This lastmentioned means is comprised of a strut 108, one end portion of which is pivotally connected to the rod 96 extending between the legs 92 and 94, while the opposite end of the strut 108 is pivotally connected by a hinge 110 to the top member 72 at a position near, but spaced from, the transverse edge thereof adjacent the top member 74. A tie rod 112 is provided, one end portion of which is pivotally connected to the rod 96 while the opposite end of the tie rod 112 is pivotally connected to the rod 90 extending between the legs 86 and 88. In order to prevent relative pivotal movement of the top members out of a common plane when the top members are in the unfolded or operative position, an elongate rigid locking arm 114 is provided, one end portion of which is pivotally connected to the rod 90. The other end portion of the locking arm 114 projects through an elongate slot 116 defined by the web portion 118 of a generally channelshaped guide member 120 which is fixed to the lower side of the top member 72.v The slot 116 extends longitudinally of the top member 72 and the end portion of the locking arm which projects through the slot is pivotally connected to a guide block 122 by a pivot pin 124, the guide block 122 being mounted for sliding movement in the channel 126 defined by the guide member 120. A latch member 128 is provided having a cam surface 130 disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of movement of the guide block 122 and an abutment surface 132 disposed at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the guideblock 122.- The latch member 128 is disposed in a housing .134 fixed to the underside of the top member 72, and the surfaces 130 and 132 project into the channel 126 defined by the guide member 120 so that the guide block 122 engages the latch member 128 as the guide block 122 moves longitudinally of the guide member 120 during the unfolding operation. The latch member 128 is fixed to one end of an actuating rod V13,6 that projects outwardly through the housing 134 assasvi and through a lpassageway inthe stiffener 80, the rod 136 terminating adjacent one longitudinal edge of the top member 72 and being provided with a knob 138 on the outer end thereof. The-latch member 128 is biased toward thelatching position by a coil spring 140, one Aend of which bears against the housing 134 while the opposite end of the spring bears against the latching member 128. Since the latching'mernber 128 is disposed in the path of travel ofthe guide block 122, when the Vtop members 72 and 74 of the table are in the unfolded or operative position, the abutment surface 132 of the latch member bears against the guide block 122 to prevent movement of the guide block longitudinally of the guide member 120, and the locking arm 114 cooperates with the strut 108 and the tie rod 112 to hold the legs 86 and 88 and the legs 92 and 94 in a fixed substantially perpendicular position relative to the top members so as to prevent folding movement of the legs. When the abutment surface 132 of the latching member is disengaged from the guide block 122 by pulling the rod 136 outwardly, the guide block 122 is free to move longitudinally of the guide member 120, and the top members may be folded. During the folding operation, the pivotal movement of the strut 108 about the hinge 110 will cause the strut 108 to move outwardly relative to the outer end of the top member 74 and pivot the legs 92 and 94 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. l and 3, toward the plane of the top member 74. The pivotal movement of the legs 92 and 94 toward the plane of the top member 74 occurs at such a rate during the folding of the top members toward vertical planes that the legs 92 and 94 are maintained in a substantially vertical position during all movements of the folding operation. Since, as viewed in Fig. 3, the legs 86 and 88 and the legs 92 and 94, the portion of the top member 74 between the hinges 110 and 98, and the tie member 112 form a parallelogram, the center legs 86 and 88 will also be maintained substantially parallel with the legs 92 and 94 and in a substantially vertical position at all times during folding and unfolding of the top members because of the effect of the strut 108 in maintaining the legs 92 and 94 in a substantially vertical position. Furthermore, the strut 108 and the tie member 112 cooperate to prevent movement of the legs toward the plane of the top member 74 except upon folding movement of the top member.

During the unfolding operation, the cam surface 130 of the latch member engages the guide block 122 and moves the latch member transversely of the path of travel of the guide block against the coil spring v140 so as to permit the guide block 122 to move past the latch member after which the spring 140 returns the latching member 128 to the latching position so that the abutment surface 132 engages the Iguide block to prevent folding movement of the top members of the table, as previously described.

The wheel units 102 and 104 secured to the legs 92 and 94 remain in contact with the iloor during the major portion of the folding and unfolding movements of the top members so as to support the weight of the outer end portion of the table, while the center legs 86 and 88 move upwardly during folding movement of the table and are in contact with the iioor only when the table is in the completely unfolded position.

As shown in Fig. 7, a manual locking mechanism is provided for holding the top members in the folded position on the carrier. This locking mechanism comprises a pair of link arms 142 and 144, one end portion of the link arm 142 having an outwardly projecting stud portion 146 pivotally connected to the topy member 74 through the agency of a bushing 148. The stud portion 146 and the bushing 148 terminate substantially flush with the table top and do not interfere with the normal usage of the table. The link arms 142 and 144 underlie the top member, and the end portion of the link arm 142 remote from the bushing 148 is provided with a pivot pin 150 which is disposedinan elongate slot 152, defined by the link arm 144. The link arm 144` is pivotally connected to the top member 74 by`a pivot pin 154. A pair of locking rods 156 and 158 are provided, one end portion of each of the locking rods 156 and 158 being pivotally connected to the link arm 4144 on opposite sides of the pivot pin'154. The rods extend transversely of the top member 74 and project through `openings provided in the longitudinallyA extending stiffening members 78 and 80. When positioned in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 13, the outer end portions of the locking rods 156 and 158 project beyond the side edges of the top member 74 and into suitable openings inthe center support frames 30 and 32 on opposite sides of the top member 74 so as to positively lock the top members to the carrier. In order that the link arm 142 may be rotated to unlock the top members, the upper end portion of the stud 146 is provided with a suitable key-receiving slot or other non-rectangular opening adapted to receive a similarly-shaped key or wrench. When the key is inserted in the slot defined by the stud 146 and rotated in one direction, the link arms 142 and 144 pivot so as to disengage the rods 156 and 158 from the carrier and center support members 30 and 32 to unlock the table sections. When the key is rotated in the other direction, the link arms 142 and 144 pivot to project the locking rods 156 and 158 outwardly beyond the edges of the top member 74 and into engagement with the carrier so as to lock the table unit to the carrier.

With the exception of the previously described differences inthe lengths of the sections 60 and 62 of the bench units with respect to the sections S6 and 58 of the table units, so that the section of each bench which is pivoted to the carrier is longer than the section of each table which is pivoted to the carrier by an amount substantially equal to the diiference in vertical elevation of the pivotal connection to the carrier, the bench units may be constructed in a manner identical with the table units. As previously mentioned, it is also preferred that the outer section of the table units be longer than the outer section of the bench units so that the table and bench units are of approximately the same length when in the unfolded position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the locking arm 114 and the associated guide block and latching means are omitted from the bench units since the legs at the outer end of the bench units are disposed relatively close to the outer ends. Except for the changes in dimensions and the omission of the locking arm 114 and the associated latch means from the bench units, the structure of the bench units is identical with the structure of the table units in the embodiment of the invention illustrated.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A folding table and bench assembly comprising, in combination, a support, a table top and a bench top each including a pair of sections pivotally connected together intermediate the ends of the top, a fixed pivotal connection between one end of said table top and said support located at table top height, a fixed pivotal connection between one end of said bench top and said support located at bench top height, the axes of said pivotal connections being parallel and being located in approximately the same vertical plane so that the table and bench when in operative position extend alongside each other for cooperative use and the two tops may be folded with the two sections of each lying in vertical planes in back-toback relationship with the pivotal connections between each pair of sections uppermost, folding legs on said tops for supporting the outer ends of said sections in operative position, the section of said bench top which is pivoted to said support being longer than the section of said table top which is pivoted to said support by an amount equal tothe diierence in verticalelevation of lsaid pivotal connections to vsail support, and the outer section` of the table top being longer than the outer section ,of the bench top sothat the tvvo` tops are of'a'pproximately the same length when in opera'vtiye position.

References Cited inthe tile of this petent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,203,394 Schieber June 4, 1940 8 Erickson -.1 July 4, 1950 Muglerv Jan'. 18, 1955 Y Erickson ..-Nom 15, 1955 `Wilson May 29, 1956 Nelson Sept. 25, 1956 Nielsen Oct. 9, 1956 *FOREIGN PATENTS Gret Britain June 7, 1929 

